Matt Damon, a name synonymous with Hollywood stardom, has carved a remarkable path in the film industry. His journey, marked by dedication and transformative performances, includes an often-discussed and somewhat controversial chapter: his dramatic weight loss for the 1996 film "Courage Under Fire." This article delves into the details of Damon's experience, its impact on his health, and its subsequent influence on his career.
Early Career and the Drive to Prove Worth
Like many aspiring actors, Matt Damon knew he belonged in Hollywood. He had to prove his worthiness to the folks who did the casting. Damon's early roles in films like "Mystic Pizza," "School Ties" (where he played an antisemitic antagonist), and "Geronimo: An American Legend" showcased his potential. In the latter, he held his own alongside established actors like Gene Hackman, Wes Studi, Robert Duvall, and Jason Patric, exuding a confidence that belied his babyface.
"Courage Under Fire": A Pivotal Role
"Courage Under Fire," directed by Edward Zwick (who had a knack for launching movie stars, as seen with Denzel Washington in "Glory" and Brad Pitt in "Legends of the Fall"), presented Damon with a significant opportunity. The film, written by Vietnam War veteran Patrick Sheane Duncan, employed a "Rashomon"-esque narrative to explore the complexities of a Gulf War incident. The film revolves around a Gulf War firefight in which Meg Ryan's Medevac captain is believed to have died honorably. Denzel Washington receives conflicting accounts from members of Ryan's crew, but finally uncovers the truth when he interviews Damon's haunted Andrew Ilario. Damon played Andrew Ilario, a soldier haunted by his experiences and struggling with heroin addiction.
The Extreme Transformation: Diet and Training
To convincingly portray the emaciated Ilario, Damon embarked on a drastic weight loss journey. Starting at 190lbs, Damon slimmed down to approximately 139lbs (61kg) for the film. This involved a strict regimen of food deprivation and intense physical training. He ran about 13 miles a day. Damon himself described his diet as consisting solely of chicken breast. "I had to run about 13 miles a day, which wasn't even the hard part. The hard part was the diet," Damon recalled. "All I ate was chicken breast. It's not like I had a chef or anything, I just made it up and did what I thought I had to do." He also revealed that he would drink four to six pots of coffee a day to muster up the energy.
Damon emphasized the unsupervised nature of his diet, acknowledging the risks involved. "I had to be thin and went on an unsupervised diet which could have killed me.” He confessed that it "didn't do me any good," as the physical toll meant he hardly had to act, feeling the effects off-screen. He said: "I didn't have to act at all - I was a wreck. I was getting dizzy spells and hot flashes. I didn't say anything to anyone for a while because I was afraid I might be really ill."
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Health Consequences and Medical Supervision
The extreme measures Damon took had severe consequences for his health. Director Edward Zwick got so scared by Damon's emaciated appearance that he ordered the actor to start eating again, but Damon refused. After filming, he was diagnosed with deregulated blood sugar and had to be put on medication for two years post-production to try reverse the damage done to his body. Damon reflected: "I went too far. I got sick and I wouldn't do that again because it was just too much. At the same time it helped the performance."
A doctor later told him he could have shrunk his heart permanently. Damon, who is 5ft 11in [180cm], went down to 135lb [61kg] from his usual weight, between 173lb [78kg] and 176lb [80kg]. This experience taught him “a lot about what I can and can’t do, and what I should and shouldn’t do”.
Recognition and Career Boost
Despite the health risks, Damon's dedication to the role did not go unnoticed. Francis Ford Coppola, impressed by Damon's commitment, offered him the leading role in "The Rainmaker" (1997). While Damon is terrific in Coppola's "The Rainmaker," he'd already made his own luck by co-writing (with Ben Affleck) and starring in "Good Will Hunting." From that point forward, Chris O'Donnell was getting the scripts he passed on.
While making "Good Will Hunting" (1997), after regaining his healthy weight, Damon met Steven Spielberg (who was then casting "Saving Private Ryan" (1998)). Spielberg told Damon that he had loved his performance in this movie and had wanted to hire him to play Private Ryan, but was afraid that Damon was too skinny. Once Spielberg saw Damon at his normal weight, he hired him for "Saving Private Ryan."
Lessons Learned and Advice to Others
Drawing on his own harrowing experience, Damon even offered some advice to fellow actor Chris Hemsworth, who had to lose weight for his role as a shipwrecked sailor in "The Heart Of the Sea". He reportedly cautioned Hemsworth: "Look, I had no education then. It was basically eat nothing for four months." "It's dangerous to do it that way." Damon's experience served as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of unsupervised and extreme dieting.
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Avoiding Misconceptions
It's important to note that while method acting can enhance a performance, it should not come at the expense of one's health. Damon's case highlights the importance of professional guidance and medical supervision when undertaking significant physical transformations for a role.
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